Back at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, Yamaha unveiled a hybrid motorcycle concept called the Gen-Ryu. Since then, it seems as though the company has been busy filing patents and gearing up to put the hybrid motorcycle into full production.
When it was originally revealed to the public, the Gen-Ryu used a 600cc Yamaha inline-4, borrow from the R6, to crank a high output generator. The generator in turn powered an electric motor that drove the rear wheel. According to the recently filed patents, Yamaha has decided to go with the smaller 250cc engine to help ever drop of fuel. It should be noted that this will have little, if any, effect on the speed of the bike.
On top of being a hybrid, the Gen-Ryu was also designed to be very easy to ride. Over the past few years there has been a noticeable decrease in the number of motorcycle sales, which many attribute to a feeling of complexity surrounding them. The Gen-Ryu was designed to keep rider input to a minimum, while also offering an exhilarating ride.
As far as a release date goes, no official announcements have been made. Takashi Kajikawa, president of Yamaha, did however state that Yamaha would offer a production hybrid bike by the end of the decade.
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